Kuwati born Ali Salam Saket claimed to a judge at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday last week that he did not know it was illegal to fly tip after having only been in the country for four years.

A passer by saw Saket dumping large pieces of foam from the boot of his car onto the pavement in Rembrandt Road, Edgware in February, and made a note of his car’s registration number.

He was later caught out on CCTV footage investigated by the authorities.

Harrow Council’s cabinet member for environment, crime and community safety Councillor Varsha Parmar (Labour) said: “It is unbelievable a cleaner can think it is right to throw rubbish on the street like this, knowing someone else will have to pick it up.

“These residents have shown great community spirit reporting this individual so he can face up to his actions.”

Saket, of Bacon Lane, Edgware, claimed that he picked the foam remnants of a sofa and a bed up from outside his house hoping to find a use for it, but when he found it was useless he decided to dump it on the street.